body-container-line-1
20.11.2014 Feature Article

Prostate Cancer & Diet Connection

Prostate Cancer  Diet Connection
20.11.2014 LISTEN

The western or modern lifestyle is a major cause of prostate cancer, and lifestyle factor most likely responsible is diet, “says Dr. Bill Nelson, an oncologist with Brady Urological Institute at Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions in Baltimore. “ The western diet has long been thought to be too rich in animal fats and meats and too poor in fruits and vegetables”.

Nelson, pioneer in the study of diet as preventive medicine, was the first researcher to realize that an enzyme called glutathione-S transferase p is accountable for defending the body against prostate cancer. “When a man develops prostate cancer, it is the result of potentially toxic agents overtaking and destroying this helpful enzyme, “explains. The result is that prostate cells become vulnerable to cancer because they no longer have adequate protection. “Without the cancer-fighting enzyme, the cells are less able to detoxify the carcinogens.”

Nelson's investigation led him to believe that diet is answerable, at least in part, for both the toxic agents that develop within the body and the wearing down of its protective enzymes. That revelation, in turn, prompted him to study whether or not glutathione-S transferase p might be stimulated by certain nutrients and, thus more able to fend off prostate cancer!

You are what you eat and this is why Asian men have less prostate cancer incidence in the world! The answer to prostate cancer may be close as your dinner table!!

One promising cancer -fighting nutrient is lycopene, an antioxidant found in tomatoes. Pink grapefruit, papaya, aspricots and watermelon. According to a recent study conducted by Dr. Edward L. Giovannucci, a researcher and associate professor of medicine at Harvard medical School in Boston, two or more servings of tomatoes sauce per week were associated with a 35percent reduced risk of prostate cancer. “Lycopene is thought to protect against cancer by absorbing free radicals, “he explains. Free radicals are chemicals created during metabolism that can damage the genetic architecture of cells and likely lead to cancer. “You absorb five times as much lycopene from a paste or a sauce as you do from the tomatoes in its raw form. The processing releases more of the powerful antioxidant .

Nelson interest is that lycopene-unlike many other substances-actually manages to reach the prostate gland.” You can't say that about everything you swallow,” he says, including some antibiotics as well as many nutritional supplements.

Another promising cancer-fighting nutrient is selenium. A trace mineral found in a variety of foods including, tuna, oysters, flounder, chicken, brown rice, oatmeal, eggs and brazil nuts, which pack a whopping 840micrograms per one-ounce servings.Nelson's study found that selenium levels in the blood drop in all men over time, regardless of whether or not they have prostate cancer. Conversely, no other cancer increases more rapidly with age than prostate cancer. Nelson and other Johns Hopkins researchers began to wonder if there might be a correlation.

As it turns out, there is. In a recent Johns Hopkins study, men with the lowest of selenium were the most likely to develop prostate cancer, while men with the highest levels were 50percent less likely to develop prostate cancer. “Selenium is an essential part of glutathione peroxidase, another enzyme that helps the body fight off potentially toxic substances,” says Nelson.

“There is a strong evidence that selenium supplementation could reduce the number of people diagnosed with prostate cancer”.

What is more stimulating is that selenium may make a difference in a relatively short period of time –often within few years. “You can take it later in life and still potentially change the course of the disease, he says.

Vitamin E also may reduce prostate cancer risk. Vitamin E is a fat-soluble antioxidant found in a variety of foods such as wheat germ oil, safflower oil, soyabean oil, almonds, peanuts, asparagus, and broccoli, spinach and turnip greens. A recent study by the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York found that men, who had higher blood levels of vitamin E, were significantly less likely to develop prostate cancer. In another study from Finland, men who took a daily vitamin E supplement for up to eight years had almost half the deaths from prostate cancer as other men. Stays bless and eat well to fight prostate cancer!

Yours in Prostate Health!
About the Columnist
Alt. Dr. Raphael NyarkoteyObu is a registered Naturopathic Doctor practicing integrative Naturopathic oncology with Master's in Prostate Cancer from Sheffield Hallam University UK, ultrasound expert, renowned Prostate Cancer expert, ambassador and Cancer Psychologist focusing 100% on Men's prostate health. My holistic, naturopathic approach is exclusive for people combating Prostate Cancer, Prostatitis, Bladder Pain / Pelvic Pain and Male sexual dysfunction.

My research, writings and professional passion are exclusive to these conditions: Cancer of the prostate, Enlarged Prostate, Prostatitis, Male sexual dysfunction, Pain (specifically pelvic pain) and urinary incontinence. Treatments include: medicinal herbs, individualized nutrition, supplements and massage.

My research interest are black race and prostate cancer, Doppler for prostate cancer diagnosis, Naturopathy oncology and the Dangme People in Ghana. As a Prostate Cancer Planner for Patient he is passionate with staying up-to-date on cutting-edge prostate cancer research.

With Dr. Obu, you will know if doing nothing (or Active Surveillance) is best for you. If you need medical treatment, he knows all the main players and can facilitate a visit both in Ghana and abroad. He is the CEO of De Men's Clinic & Prostate Research Lab in Dodowa-Akoto House and the founder of Men's Health Foundation Ghana. Contact: [email protected]. Tel:0541090045

body-container-line